Looking to change things up a little in my '39 Ford. After 25 years of driving it's time for a little freshen up of the old coupe. I found a '57 PP 283 to replace the 350 but also thinking of kicking out the TH350 trany. A had a B&M Hydro a few years ago in another car and was an absolute blast driving it, lately I've been playing with the notion of putting one behind the small block Chevy. So if you have done it in a '39 or '40, is it worth the hassle? Currently I'm running split bones with a bolt in trany mount, Pete & Jakes X-member supports. Stock floor and firewall.I still have the original X-member sides, I assume those will need to be trimmed or partially removed. With an adapter kit any idea of the back of the block to yoke lenght I'll be looking at? Also thinking of firewall issues, how much of a change there? Does the Hydrostick shifter come out in front of the stock bench seat? Info appreciated.
Chris, You don't need an adapter kit for the hydromatic. Get the truck stuff, GM used hydros in pickups through about '58 anyway. You should be able to get it from Carters. The Ansen type shifter bolted to the tail shaft housing. Depending on engine setback that may be a problem with your bench. You can get around that with a hurst indy shifter and then build yourself a detent plate to go over it like some of the B&M shifted hydros had in the '60s or if you get the B&M equivelent of the hurst shifter it has a cable and built in detents. Both are universal shifters and you will need to expect a little fenegling to make then work right, no hill for a stepper. I have my hydro laying on my garage floor if you need to come by and run a tape on it you are welcome to do so. Ah hell you already no about the hurst deal that is what you run in the '33, Duh oh.
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